Study and research in information science at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Abstract

Set up in 1963, the School of Information Science of the Georgia Institute of Technology offers both theoretical and practical training to its students. Students only with bachelor degree and with proficiency in mathematics may be admitted to the School. The duration of the study was delimited to 12 to 18 month for the terminal master's degree, with additional appropriate time given for acquiring the Ph.D. degree. The School has three major educational programs (options).
Dealing with the abstract theory and general systems of the information processes, the first program (Option I) being theory-oriented aims at developing and applying a general set of techniques and methods for problem solving in science. Option I of the study should continue with the doctoral program.
The two other programs (Option II and III) are profsssionally-oriented: the study and design of information processing systems; study and design, and practical problems of computer systems.
Mandatory courses common to all three options cover selected fundamentals in fields and topics which constitute the interdisciplinary base of information science: modern algebra, mathematical logic, linguistics, semiotics, and general systems theory. The mandatory courses comprise approximately two-thirds of the master's degree program, the rest may he chosen from some 50 electives.
The number of registered students for the Fall Semester 1967 was 92, and the average monthly salary of the School's master of Science degree candidates, working for university and government libraries and other institutions, was 870.
Beginning January 1968, the School of Information Science also offers a Ph.D. program for those who succeeded in passing different entrance examinations and can demonstrate an ability to conduct satisfactorily a scientific research project. The requirements for the Ph.D. degree include submitting and having approved a doctoral thesis, and passing an oral examination in defense of the thesis.
Besides its educational functions, the School is also engaged in conducting research work. The two areas of major research efforts are formal semictics and systems research. The School also developed a long-range research program in information science in collaboration with other departments, since such efforts necessarily require the broadest base of interdisciplinary approach and cooperation.The programs are supported by the National Science Foundation and other federal and state agencies.
The paper includes several tables and appendices, as:
1. School of Information Science: plans of study for Master of Science degree;
2. Courses relevant to the program in information science;
3. Program of courses in information control methods, theory of classification, information systems design, computer techniques for information storage and retrieval.